Category: Cyprus News Agency

European businesses expect tangible results from the Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU with a view to address their top priorities, simplification and competitiveness, the President of the BusinessEurope, Frederick Persson, said in an interview with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).

BusinessEurope has met in Cyprus for a two-day session, ahead of the assumption of the EU Presidency from Nicosia on 1/1/2026, to discuss their top priorities. As Persson told CNA, BusinessEurope consists of 42 federations across 36 European nations, representing some 25 million businesses across Europe. ‘We are truly the voice of business and industry in Brussels,’ he said, noting that their Cypriot member, Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB), constitutes a key voice in that aspect.

Asked regarding the most pressing issues businesses in Europe face today, he said that across Europe ‘the message is crystal clear, and if I could only use one word, it’s regulation, regulation, regulation. We need to unleash the power of businesses across Europe’. He noted that 99% of their members are small and medium-sized companies (SMEs). ‘They’re heavily burdened by an over-bureaucracy, so we need to unleash that power’, he said.

‘The second word that would come at the top of mind, which is related to that, is competitiveness’, he highlighted, noting that the two are highly interlinked. ‘Those two words echo across all of Europe, regardless of if you are here in Nicosia, if you are in Helsinki, if you are in Lisbon, it’s the same tune that the companies and businesses are singing’, he said.

Asked what Europe could do to address these challenges, he mentioned the Draghi and Letta reports, the first focusing on competitiveness and the second on Single Market.

‘The starting point is that Europe has been falling behind. And that did not happen in the last 12 months. It did not happen with the last Commission. It’s been happening for decades. So, if you compare the EU growth to the US growth, in the last three decades, the US has grown by more than 100%. The economy has doubled. At the same time, the EU has grown by a mere just above 60%. And that means less money for security, for welfare, and not the least for investments, and investments in research and innovation’, Frederick Persson said, adding that ‘if we don’t invest for the future, Europe will be a worse place to live’.

‘I normally say that if you want a bigger cake, you should talk to the baker. And here we represent the 25 million bakers across Europe, then you can always talk about the cutting of the cake, but it’s always easier to talk about the cutting of the cake if you have a bigger cake’, he said.

Commenting on when and how the EU should address the issue of simplification, he said that the easy answer is that ‘it needs to happen now. It needs to happen faster’. He noted that there is always a difference between business and politicians. ‘By default, the political system needs to be a bit slower. And coming from business, we’re always frustrated that you need to move faster. But of course, we need to respect the democratic processes we have, which is a pride of Europe. That said, there needs to be an urgency in Brussels’.

He went on to say that today European businesses are spending as much to adhere to the regulation as they’re investing in innovation. ‘The compliance department, the one filling out the forms, is as big as the department filling out the patent applications and that cannot go on,’ he underlined.

‘We are not saying that we should have zero regulation. Of course, a sound and solid regulation is at the heart of any Union and any nation, but we just need less,’ he said. He cited an example, noting that during the last Commission, over 13,000 legislative acts were approved. At the same time, on federal level in the US, it was 3,500. ‘I’m not saying it needs to be one-to-one, but just look at the numbers. This is not reasonable, and it’s slowing down business, it’s slowing down Europe, and it’s not good for us that are living in Europe’, he stated.

Asked on what BusinessEurope expects from the upcoming Cypru’ Presidency of the Council of the EU, Frederick Persson said that ‘we are expecting a lot. I often get the question ‘do the Presidencies of the EU really mean something?’, and I think that is a valid question we need to ask ourselves. And the follow-up question is always, ‘ssn’t it only about the big countries?’. And the answer to that is, no and no. It’s very much about where we are in time. And Europe is at a crossroads’, he underlined.

As he pointed out, the Commission has set a new narrative where they acknowledge, with Draghi and Letta reports, that we do have a competitiveness problem. ‘They’ve started to make the right decision, moving in the right direction, but our members and businesses across Europe do not feel it in the everyday business. And until it happens there, it has not happened at all’, he stressed.

This is where the Cyprus’ Presidency enters, he said, mentioning ‘omnibus’, which is an initiative to make it easier to run a business in Europe. ‘During the Cypriot Presidency, that needs to be put forward. So, it’s not only a huge responsibility, it’s a huge opportunity. So, the Presidency will be extremely important,’ he noted.

Moreover, Persson said that there are also small initiatives, for which the Cyprus Presidency can play a crucial role, mentioning, as an example, the e-posting of workers. ‘It’s super important, because if we are not able to travel and work across Europe, we will grow less,’ he argued.

Comparing the EU with the US, he said that in the US 70% of the trade is done between the states. In Europe, ‘where we believe we have a Single Market, it’s only 20%. So we do not trade with each other. We do not travel and work between countries,’ he indicated, noting that if any country knows the importance of that, it’s Cyprus. ‘You are traveling people. You go abroad to get educated. You do business abroad. So, I think to bring that understanding to the table as being a small country, but with high ambitions, I think it will benefit the EU in a very good way. I think it’s the perfect time to have your Presidency. The expectations are high,’ he said, asserting that it can have a very positive impact on Europe.

Asked whether it is realistic to expect tangible results until July, when the Cyprus Presidency ends, the President of BusinessEurope answered affirmatively. ‘We can take no more excuses from Brussels. Our support will be steadfast, and we will push for this, and we will be happy to work alongside the Presidency and with the support of our member OEB. I’m convinced that we will have an impact that will not surprise me, but maybe it will surprise some people in Brussels,’ he noted.

Asked about the BusinessEurope’s key priorities during the next years, he said that their priorities come from the need to be more competitive. ‘We need simplification. We cannot go on investing as much in regulation as we do in research and innovation,’ he said. Secondly, he mentioned the Single Market. ‘Twenty per cent intra-trade versus 70% (in the US). The IMF came out with a survey saying that the barriers we have within the single market currently correspond to close to a 50% tariff on goods and more than 100% on services. This is self-inflicted. We do not have to negotiate with Beijing or with Washington. This is cleaning up our own house. Imagine the growth, the prosperity and the competitiveness we can unleash,’ he highlighted.

He added that there is also a challenge regarding the workforce. Mentioning Cyprus’ low unemployment, he said that this will happen across Europe as well. ‘Until 2050, 35 million Europeans will leave the workforce. So, we’re going to have a skills challenge, with the involvement of AI and technology. We need to stay ahead when it comes to investing and be able to hire a forward-leaning workforce for the future. That will be key for our members. I do not think we’re going to be talking about high unemployment and the worry of austerity. We will be fighting to get the right talent,’ he said.

Moreover, Persson mentioned the high energy costs. ‘Both China and US are so more competitive when it comes to energy prices,’ he mentioned, noting that this is a hugely complex question, without a simple solution. ‘It’s about tech neutrality. We need all possible energy sources and creating a fossil-free society. We need to improve interconnecting between countries. There are initiatives from Cyprus when it comes to gas, and better we have it within Europe than getting it from somewhere else. But of course, to have competitive energy prices is something that is also raised across our membership because it’s a short-term and mid-term challenge not to go out of business’.

Finally, he mentioned trade. ‘Our biggest trading partner is the US, and that has been a bit challenging lately. We think that we have an as good agreement as we can with the Americans. Is it perfect? No. Is it balanced? No. But the alternative to ending up in a trade war would have been much, much worse for European business. So, we need to take well care of that relationship and at the same time offer the possibility to diversify business’, he said, mentioning trade agreements with Mercosur in South America, Mexico, Indonesia, India.

Asked where China fits in all that, he said that ‘we have a dependency on China’ and ‘we need to have a balanced approach towards China. China is a fast-growing nation. They’re extremely long-term in their industrial objectives. We need to use the toolbox we have in trade defence system, and I think the Commission is using that in an orderly manner. But China will be a combination of opportunities and challenges. We need to balance that one as well,’ he said.

Having an ambitious trade agenda with Mercosur, Mexico, Indonesia etc, will help us to balance the relationship with the US and to challenge the relationship with China, ‘because then you show that you have options, especially when it comes to rare earth metals,’ he underlined.

Concluding, Frederick Persson said that he has high expectations on the upcoming Presidency, ‘but I’m also fully confident, given the work I see from our business colleagues at OEB, that this will be a huge, huge success’.

Fitch upgraded its outlook for the Cypriot economy to positive from stable on Friday night, confirming the Republic of Cyprus’ rating at ‘A-‘, with President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides and Finance Minister Makis Keravnos expressing their satisfaction.

Also on Friday night, credit rating agency Moody’s issued a periodic review, without making any change to the credit rating of the Republic of Cyprus, noting that this decision does not indicate whether a rating action is likely in the near future.

‘We continue with the same sense of responsibility,’ President Christodoulides wrote in a post on X, citing the new Fitch assessment for Cyprus, while Finance Minister, Makis Keravnos, welcomed with ‘particular satisfaction’ the two new credit assessments of Cyprus by Moody’s and Fitch. He noted, in a written statement, that the foreign rating agencies ‘seem to trust’ the rational policies consistently implemented by the government of the Republic of Cyprus, which are driving the excellent performance of the Cypriot economy.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Finance, Fitch’s move ‘is considered a precursor to a future upgrade, provided the forecasts in the relevant report materialize.’

Moody’s refers to the existing A3 rating for Cyprus, which ‘reflect the country’s high wealth levels and strong growth performance, which we expect will remain robust over the medium term,’ the Ministry notes.

Fitch

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The American agency stated that the revision of Cyprus’ outlook reflects several key rating drivers.

According to the Ministry, the change in outlook occurred, according to Fitch, due to the rapid reduction in public debt during the period 2022-2025 and because this reduction is expected to continue during 2026-2027, with public debt falling below the 60% of GDP benchmark (55.4%) in 2025, making it lower than the EU median.

This debt reduction, according to Fitch, represents a decline of nearly 70 percentage points since its peak in 2020, “one of the fastest reductions among Fitch-rated sovereigns.”

‘With debt projected to come down to around 40% of GDP over the medium term, debt-financing needs will remain low,’ the agency stressed.

The change in outlook also occurred due to ongoing fiscal surpluses, which are projected to continue through 2025-2027 with an average of 3.2%, and due to ‘strong fiscal growth,’ which Fitch projects at 3.4% for 2025, while maintaining growth close to 3% for 2026-2027 and near 3% in the medium term. By comparison, growth in the Eurozone is expected to be 1%.

Additionally, the positive outlook is attributed to the very strong labour market, with unemployment falling to pre-2009 levels.

According to Fitch, wage pressures have remained contained and are expected to stabilise, reducing risks to competitiveness. Also, harmonised inflation was only 1% in January-October, among the lowest rates in Europe.

Fitch identified the public finances, macroeconomic data, and developments in the balance of payments as the main factors that could influence Cyprus’ future rating either positively or negatively.

The agency maintained Cyprus at a high rating level with potential for further upgrades, recognising the strong economic performance of recent years as well as the favourable prospects despite significant global economic and geopolitical challenges.

The credibility Cyprus has gained regarding fiscal discipline and rational economic policies is a key factor for additional future upgrades, the agency noted.

Moody’s

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In a separate press release, the Ministry of Finance stated that, according to Moody’s, the Republic of Cyprus has strong institutional capacity and effective policymaking. Public debt levels continue on a sustained downward path and the government continues to run large fiscal surpluses. According to Moody’s, the country’s growth has remained strong, supported by the diversification of the economy. Tourist arrivals have returned to pre-pandemic levels with revenues hitting all-time highs, while the banking sector’s stability is supported by large capital buffers and sufficient liquidity.

‘The stable outlook reflects a balance of risks related to economic, fiscal, and debt prospects,’ Moody’s stated, noting that risk sensitivity is shaped by ‘banking-sector and political risks,’ which the agency considers ‘contained.’

Although non-performing loans remain in the economy, the number that remain in the banking sector are on a firm downward path and banks “generally display large capital buffers and improved profitability.”

However, Cyprus faces a number of credit challenges, including the small size of the economy. While the public finances have improved very significantly, spending pressures associated with the public sector wage bill and ageing costs are an ongoing risk to the future trajectory of the public finances. Finally, banking sector risks remain a key driver of event risks, though these have been decreasing given structural improvements in the system.

The Ministry added that, according to Moody’s, further upgrades could occur if, among other conditions, fiscal and debt indicators outperform the agency’s expectations, and if medium-term growth is higher than anticipated.

In his written statement, Minister Makis Keravnos said that in its periodic review, Moody’s maintains the Republic of Cyprus’ investment-grade rating of A3, which reflects the country’s high level of prosperity and strong growth rates expected to continue in the medium term.

Fitch, the Minister added, also maintains the Republic of Cyprus’ investment-grade rating at ‘A-‘, while simultaneously improving the economic outlook from stable to positive.

This move, according to Keravnos, ‘is considered a precursor to a future upgrade, as the positive trajectory of public finances, macroeconomic indicators, and the balance of payments is expected to allow the agency to place Cyprus at a higher level of its investment-grade scale.’

He added that the Government ‘recognises the seriousness of the challenges within an unstable and difficult international environment marked by geopolitical turbulence, which is why it works in a coordinated and methodical manner to build a resilient economy, a fairer society, and a sustainable future for all.’

‘Our economic policy is people-centred, balanced, and prudent, based on the principles of fiscal stability and social justice-something that is recognised internationally and is reflected in the consistently positive assessments of Cyprus’ creditworthiness by all major rating agencies in recent years,’ Keravnos concluded.

An international conference focused on accelerating Cyprus’ transition to sustainability will take place on 27 November 2025 at the Royal Hall in Nicosia. Titled ‘Towards a Greener Future: European Innovation for Sustainable Cyprus’, the event will bring together leading experts, innovators, policymakers, and business representatives to explore cutting-edge European solutions tailored to the island’s environmental and infrastructural needs.

According to a press release, the aim of the conference is to foster new synergies, attract investments, help create new jobs and provide advanced technological solutions in the circular economy sector between the Netherlands, France and Cyprus.

Supported by the Embassies of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and France in the Republic of Cyprus, in partnership with the University of Limassol (UoL) and organised by ideopsis Ltd, the conference will spotlight pioneering technologies and approaches in energy, water, agriculture, and waste management. Emphasis will be placed on how these innovations can be effectively deployed in Cyprus, taking into account the island’s unique climate challenges and sustainability targets.

Held under the auspices of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the conference is made possible with the support of VTTI Cyprus and Invest Cyprus.

“Through expert presentations, thematic panels, and interactive discussions, the event aims to foster knowledge exchange and stimulate new partnerships between Cyprus and forward-thinking European innovators. By bridging expertise across borders, the conference seeks to inspire concrete steps towards a more resilient and sustainable future for the island”, the press release reads.

In addition to the main programme, the conference will offer a structured B2B matchmaking facility, enabling participants to schedule private meetings with visiting Dutch and French innovative SMEs. Interested attendees may secure meetings via the dedicated registration platform.

The European Union constitutes the best safeguard for implementing a solution to the Cyprus problem and for a peaceful future in Cyprus, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Saturday.

The President made the statement upon arriving at the old Nicosia Town Hall for the opening of the Photography and Newspaper Exhibition titled ’70 Years of EOKA 1955-1959′, organized by the PIO in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior.

Invited to comment on the reaction of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhrman, to the President’s statement on the need for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus and the abolition of the guarantees, the President said that ‘my statement on the abolition of the outdated guarantees system and the withdrawal of Turkish troops was not a response to the four points raised by the Turkish Cypriot leader. It was a reiteration of the long-standing position of the Greek Cypriot side, which becomes even more relevant when taking into account many factors, particularly the fact that the Republic of Cyprus is an EU member state.’

He went on to stress that the EU ‘is the best safeguard both for the implementation of the solution and for a peaceful future in Cyprus.’

Beyond that all these issues ‘need to be discussed at the negotiating table, negotiations continuing from where they left off in Crans-Montana,’ he said, adding that ‘this is the major effort we are making, and I truly hope, always with a positive approach, because for us the current status quo cannot be the solution to the Cyprus problem, and with goodwill we are ready to immediately return to the negotiating table.’

Referring to the PIO’s exhibition on the 1955-1959 EOKA struggle, he said that resolving the Cyprus problem will be sustainable through respect and recognition of each side’s history, and not through self-negation.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (B)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 22/11/2025 UNTIL 1200 23/11/2025

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1022hPa (hectopascal)

High pressure is affecting the area. ?he weather will be mainly fine with increased high cloud coverage at times. Dust in suspension.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 23°C

Warnings: NIL

Evidence from 1,184 cases investigated in recent years by the district units of the Drug Law Enforcement Unit in Cyprus was destroyed this year, the Police said in a press release.

As it is noted that behind every case of drug trafficking or illegal anabolic substances, there is a final stage that few people know about, adding that this is the moment when the case is definitively closed: the destruction of the evidence.

‘This is a fully institutionalized, transparent, and controlled process that marks the definitive end of a criminal procedure, from the seizure of the illegal substances to the Court’s decision,’ the Police said, adding that the journey of each substance begins at the moment it is seized.

Police officers receive it, seal it, and meticulously record all of its details, it is emphasized.

From that point on, according to the Police, the evidence is sent to the State Laboratory, where it is examined and the type and exact quantity are confirmed. It is then sealed again and stored until it is officially presented before the Court as testimony for the case.

‘Only when all legal procedures are completed, when no legal remedies are pending, does the evidence proceed to its destruction,’ the Police added.

The Limassol International Book Fair is a substantial contribution to our cultural diplomacy, said Deputy Minister of Culture, Vasiliki Kassianidou, on Saturday, in her address at the opening of the 4th International Book Fair, at Lanitis Carob Mills, in Limassol.

Declaring the official opening of the Fair, on behalf of the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, the Deputy Minister of Culture noted that “the government, through the Deputy Ministry, provides substantial support to writers and intellectuals through targeted sponsorship programmes, for literary translation, for the participation of writers in festivals and conferences abroad, for the representation of organized groups in major international book fairs, as well as the organization of literary events, conferences and festivals in Cyprus.”

She also said that with a view to promote reading habits and Cypriot books the Deputy Ministry of Culture is actively supporting the entire organization for another year through the sponsorship programmes of the Department of Contemporary Culture.

Referring to the approval by the Council of Ministers of the ‘Cyprus Library Strategic Development Plan’ the Deputy Minister of Culture spoke of ‘a strategic reform that signals the state’s firm political commitment to the modernization and upgrading of the country’s cultural institutions.’

‘This decision’, she pointed out, ‘is a milestone, as the plan functions as a basic reference document for ensuring all the necessary conditions, so that specific actions and functions can be launched with immediate, visible and measurable results. Through this, the library policy is placed on a new modern basis, fully harmonized with European standards,’ she noted.

Cyprus is intensifying its efforts to integrate the gender dimension into public policies, incorporating equality into decision-making, policy and action planning, and budgeting, emphasized the Commissioner for Gender Equality, Josie Christodoulou, who participated in the high-level international conference against femicide, held on Friday in Rome.

‘We are committed to establishing a culture that leaves no room for prejudice, conscious or unconscious, and no excuse for violence,’ Christodoulou stressed, during a discussion on the legal framework for tackling femicide, according to a press release issued by her Office.

The conference was co-organized by the Italian Presidency and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), with the participation of European Ministers, UN and OSCE experts, and representatives of the civil society.

The Commissioner presented significant steps Cyprus has taken in recent years, including the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, the adoption of comprehensive legislation to combat violence against women, the criminalization of sexism and online sexism, the operation of the ‘Women’s House’, which provides support to women victims of violence, the training of frontline professionals, and the strengthening of NGOs that are active in related fields. Special mention was made of the 2022 law that established femicide as a distinct offense, recognizing its gender-based dimension, the press release notes.

Christodoulou stressed that despite significant progress, the effective implementation of laws and achieving cultural change remain the greatest challenges.

‘We know,’ she emphasized, ‘that real change, beyond legal amendments, requires prevention. And prevention requires a shift in mindset.’

‘We must deconstruct the stereotypes that sustain inequality and silently legitimize violence, involving men and boys as allies in our efforts,’ she added.

The Commissioner highlighted that femicide is the most extreme form of violence against women and the most brutal form of discrimination, rooted in the historical power relations between men and women.

She also noted that worldwide, gender biases and stereotypes continue to fuel inequality and normalize violence, creating a climate of tolerance that puts women at risk even within their own homes.

On the sidelines of the conference, according to the press release, the Commissioner held private meetings with the European Commissioner for Equality, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, the Italian Minister for Equal Opportunities and Family, Eugenia Roccella, the Serbian Minister for Gender Equality, Prevention of Violence and Women’s Empowerment, Tatjana Macura, the Greek Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Domna Michailidou, and the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem.

The European Commission has called on 26 EU Member States, including Cyprus, to incorporate energy efficiency rules into their national legislation.

In a press release on Friday, the European Commission said it has decided to initiate infringement proceedingsby sending letters to Member States, excluding the Czech Republic, due to their failure to transpose the Energy Efficiency Directive (EU) 2023/1791 into national law.

The Directive was adopted in 2023, and the two-year deadline for Member States to transpose it into national law expired on October 11, 2025. Consequently, the Commission has sent letters not only to Cyprus but also to Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden, urging them to comply with the Directive.

The new rules set out in the Directive establish a binding target to achieve an overall reduction in final energy consumption in the EU by 11.7% by 2030 (compared to 2020 projections). The Directive also requires Member States to ensure that the public sector leads by example, reducing its own final energy consumption by 1.9% annually (compared to 2021 levels) and renovating at least 3% of public buildings each year.

The rules also promote the creation of “one-stop shops” at the national level-mechanisms that provide free advice, guidance, and practical support for energy efficiency measures and renovations, making the process easier, especially for vulnerable households and those living in buildings with the worst energy performance. Additionally, the Directive encourages energy efficiency services, including through energy service companies and innovative financing solutions.

Member States now have a two-month deadline to respond, complete their transposition, and inform the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion as the next step in the infringement procedure.

A Council of Europe opinion acknowledges Cyprus’s continued commitment to minority protection while calling for renewed efforts to address challenges in education, inclusion, and combating discrimination.

In its Sixth Opinion on Cyprus, adopted in July 2025 and published today, the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) praises the country’s comprehensive legal and institutional framework safeguarding the rights of persons belonging to the Armenian, Latin and Maronite national minorities (‘religious groups’ in the domestic legislation).

It also welcomes the decision to extend the Framework Convention’s application on an article-by-article basis to the Cyprus Roma.

Recognising Cyprus’s cultural diversity, the Advisory Committee commends “national and local initiatives that foster intercultural dialogue, inclusion, and respect for diversity.” These include, it says, awareness-raising campaigns, support for minority-language education, and cultural initiatives helping to preserve the identities of national minorities. Among them are Armenian and Cypriot Maronite Arabic lessons, cultural centres such as the House of the Latins, and co-operation with schools and organisations in Armenia, Greece and Lebanon, it adds.

“The authorities are also acknowledged for promoting education in and of minority languages, with specific school arrangements designed for each of the three religious groups as well as for the Cyprus Roma, reflecting their respective needs and interests. The Advisory Committee moreover welcomes Cyprus’s National Roma Strategic Framework 2021-2030, describing it as a key policy tool for advancing equality, inclusion, and participation of the Cyprus Roma”.

At the same time, the Advisory Committee identifies several areas requiring further attention.

It gives as an example that Cyprus “Roma are still not recognised in the domestic legislation as a specific group to be protected. Similarly, Turkish-speakers and persons affiliating with the ‘Turkish Cypriot community’ encounter persistent difficulties in using their first language, even though Turkish is one of the two official languages of the Republic”.

The Advisory Committee further encourages the Cypriot authorities to strengthen institutional support for minority protection by empowering the Co-ordinator of Religious Groups with a clear mandate, adequate resources, and an extended role covering the Cyprus Roma.

“Enhancing minority-language education also remains a priority, notably by addressing the shortage of trained Armenian and Cypriot Maronite Arabic teachers, establishing university chairs in these subjects, and increasing the frequency and duration of lessons, especially at the secondary level,” it adds.

In addition, Cyprus is urged to ensure the right to free self-identification to be in line with the Framework Convention’s requirements. Better data collection is also needed: “the authorities should publish without delay the 2021 census results concerning the Cyprus Roma population – disaggregated by ethnic affiliation, religion, and language – and support independent research on Roma culture, history, and traditions”.

“Efforts to combat hate speech and xenophobia should be intensified,” it points out, through comprehensive training for police, prosecutors, and judges, as well as continued public campaigns promoting mutual respect and tolerance.

The opinion further recommends full implementation of the National Strategic Framework for the Equality, Inclusion and Participation of Cyprus Roma 2021-2030 to ensure equal access to education, housing, healthcare, and social services.

Finally, the Advisory Committee calls on the authorities to promote equal participation by allowing persons identifying as Armenian or Maronite to register for the election of their representatives without requiring certification from religious authorities.